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Theft-hit football club kept alive by volunteers

Google The outside entrance of Guisborough Town FC. The gates are closed and the old red brick turnstile building is locked up. There is a large Guisborough Town FC sign on the building, with the top of the main stand behind. In the distance are large green trees and a blue sky. In the foreground is a parked red car.Google
Guisborough Town is supported by hundreds of volunteers

A non-league football club targeted by thieves says it is only surviving "due to the donations, support and passion" of its volunteers.

Guisborough Town, near Middlesbrough, is down more than £10,000 in stolen items and repair bills after two recent break-ins.

A charity bucket, cash register, two TVs and numerous bottles of spirits were among the items taken during in the burglaries in September and November.

Director Chris Wood said the club would have had to cancel weddings and some planned festive events "but for the tireless efforts" of supporters.

A burglary two years ago required a crowdfunding campaign to help keep the club afloat.

Guisborough Town An empty TV wall bracket in a room where a large TV screen has clearly been taken and stolen. Above the TV wall bracket is some wedding decorations for an upcoming celebration booked at the Guisborough Town FC clubhouse.Guisborough Town
Two TVs were among the items stolen, with the damage threatening events including weddings

Recalling the September burglary, he said: "We were at a football event five miles away when I got the call.

"It was 9am on a Sunday and seeing the damage was just heart-breaking.

"To think people are comfortable breaking in during broad day light, not even when its dark at night, makes you feel very vulnerable."

Guisborough Town The ransacked bar at the club. There is a broken, electronic till with a mass of tangled electrical wires. Optics can be seen in the background along with opened spirit bottles on the counter.Guisborough Town
Thieves left a trail of destruction, as well as taking numerous items

Police have charged a 32-year-old man with six burglaries at locations including Guisborough Town, the Salvation Army in Eston, Burger Up in Redcar and another property in Guisborough.

Mr Wood, 27, said: "We wouldn't have survived this without the donations, support and passion of our volunteers.

"But we've worked hard to recover and are putting new security measures in place."

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